Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki pokes fun at LA Lakers complaining about refs vs. OKC Thunder

It also indirectly counters the tone set by Lakers head coach JJ Redick, who had been vocal about what he described as unfair treatment from officials following the Game 2 loss.

Nowitzki’s message was simple. This is not new for everyone else.

Dirk Nowitzki’s advice indirectly responds to JJ Redick’s officiating criticism

Nowitzki did not stop at the observation, as he also outlined how teams typically handle situations like this in the playoffs.

“It’s just something where you need to work the refs. You need to already position yourself for the next game. That’s just part of the playoffs,” Dirk added.

The comment directly contrasts with Redick’s postgame approach, where he criticized officiating and claimed players like LeBron James receive the “worst whistle” among stars.

From Nowitzki’s perspective, the focus should not be on public frustration, but on subtle in-game adjustments and communication with officials, something veteran teams have long treated as part of playoff strategy.

While the Thunder did have a slight edge at the free-throw line during Game 2, attempting 26 compared to the Lakers’ 21, the frustration from Los Angeles was more about specific moments and perceived missed calls rather than a major statistical gap.

That difference in interpretation is what makes Nowitzki’s comments stand out. Because instead of validating the complaints, he reframed them. It’s something every team eventually has to deal with.

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